| vaccination, measles | See Vaccination, MMR. Vaccination, mmr: the standard vaccine given to prevent measles, mumps and rubella (german measles). The mmr vaccine is now given in two dosages. The first should be given at12-15 months of age. The second vaccination hould be given at 4-6 years (or, alternatively, 11-12 years) of age. most colleges require proof of a second measles or mmr vaccination prior to entrance. Most children should receive mmr vaccinations. Exceptions may include children born with an inability to fight off infection, some children with cancer, on treatment with radiation or drugs for cancer, on long term steroids (cortisone). People with severe allergic reactions to eggs or the drug neomycin should probably avoid the mmr vaccine. Pregnant women should wait until after delivery before being immunised with mmr. People with HIV or aids should normally receive mmr vaccine. Measles, mumps, and rubella vaccines may be administered as individual shots, if necessary, or as a measles-rubella combination. (12 Dec 1998) |
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| vaccination, mumps | See Vaccination, MMR. Vaccination, pneumococcal pneumonia: this vaccine, which prevents one of the most common and severe forms of pneumonia, is usually given only once in a lifetime, usually after the age of 55, to someone with ongoing lung problems (such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (copd) or asthma) or other chronic diseases (including those involving the heart and kidneys). This vaccination would rarely be given to children. (12 Dec 1998) |
| vaccination, polio | The vaccines available for vaccination against polio are opv (oral polio vaccine) and ipv (inactivated polio vaccine). Opv is still the preferred vaccine for most children. As its name suggests, it is given by mouth. Ipv, or inactivated polio vaccine is given as a shot in the arm or leg. Infants and children should be given four doses of opv. The doses are given at 2 months, 4 months, 6-18 months and 4-6 years of age. Persons allergic to eggs or the drugs neomycin or streptomycin should receive opv, not the injectable ipv. Conversely, ipv should be given if the vaccine recipient is on long-term steroid (cortisone) therapy, has cancer, or is on chemotherapy or if a household member has aids or there is an unimmunised adult in the house. (12 Dec 1998) |
| vaccination, rubella | See Vaccination, MMR. (12 Dec 1998) |
| vaccination, varicella zoster | See Vaccineation, chickenpox. (12 Dec 1998) |
| varicella vaccination | See Vaccination, chickenpox. (12 Dec 1998) |
| polio vaccination | <virology> The vaccines available for vaccination against polio are opv (oral polio vaccine) and ipv (inactivated polio vaccine). Opv is still the preferred vaccine for most children. As its name suggests, it is given by mouth. Ipv, or inactivated polio vaccine is given as a shot in the arm or leg. Infants and children should be given four doses of opv. The doses are given at 2 months, 4 months, 6-18 months and 4-6 years of age. Persons allergic to eggs or the drugs neomycin or streptomycin should receive opv, not the injectable ipv. Conversely, ipv should be given if the vaccine recipient is on long-term steroid (cortisone) therapy, has cancer, or is on chemotherapy or if a household member has aids or there is an unimmunised adult in the house. (21 Jun 1999) |
| primary vaccination | <virology> First or principal vaccination with the introduction of a vaccine into the body for the purpose of inducing immunity. (18 Nov 1997) |
| DPT vaccination | <immunology> A vaccination administered to infants for protection against diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough) and tetanus. Vaccinations are typically administered at 2, 4, 6 and 15 months. A final vaccination is now recommended at 4-6 years of age. (27 Sep 1997) |
| yellow fever vaccination | A live attenuated (weakened) viral vaccine recommended for people traveling to or living in tropical areas in the americas and africa where yellow fever occurs. (12 Dec 1998) |